Latest Awards

Patients with diabetes who require insulin therapy are candidates for pancreas transplant evaluation. The Lourdes nephrology (kidney disease) team evaluates all such patients that it treats or receives as referrals for listing for kidney transplant.

Once pancreas and kidney function is confirmed and patients have completed pre-transplant evaluation, they are brought for discussion for the waiting list with the Lourdes’ multidisciplinary kidney/pancreas transplant team. This experienced staff comprises transplant surgeons, transplant nephrologists (kidney specialists), transplant pharmacist, nurse practitioner, nurse coordinators, social workers, dietitian, financial coordinator and administrators. The team reviews whether patients are suitable to be placed on the national waitlist and provides medical approval to patients who are appropriate for the list.

Assessment for this list may require additional testing. In cases where a patient’s condition is likely to change, candidacy for evaluation and listing may be reconsidered at a later time. Transplant centers vary on acceptance criteria for transplant recipients; therefore, if a patient does not meet selection criteria at a center, he or she should seek other transplant programs. Insurance coverage may impact where and if patients can be evaluated.

Currently, the waiting time for selection from the list for kidney-pancreas transplant or pancreas transplant alone is based on blood type and how long an individual has been on the wait list. Waiting time varies based on geographic location but is not as long as the wait time for donor kidney.

Transplant candidates may be listed at more than one transplant center, a status known as “multiple listing.” Rules governing organ donation and listing services permit this status for patients as long as the centers that the patients are listed at are affiliated with different procurement organizations. This increases the opportunities to receive an organ.

For that reason, patients can be listed with both Lourdes, which is affiliated with the Sharing Network, as well as any of the Philadelphia hospitals that provide transplant services, which are affiliated with the Gift of Life organization. Most patients do have the ability to multi-list, however, some insurance companies may designate where patients can be listed.

For all those accepted to the list, the Lourdes team guides each individual on important care points and considerations during the waiting period:

The team re-evaluates patients every year while they are on the wait list.

Patients have blood drawn every month to test for antibodies.

Listed patients should ensure that the nurse coordinator can easily contact them during the waiting period and should update the coordinator on any significant changes in health status.

Notifications about hospitalizations, surgeries, new medications such as blood thinners, blood transfusions and relocations or changes in dialysis center should be reported promptly.

It is also important to notify the team of any financial changes that may affect coverage of transplant surgery and/or post-transplant medications as well as changes in insurance.

When candidates are ill or unable to report to the transplant center, it may be necessary to temporarily inactivate them on the waitlist. This is not a penalty, as wait time continues to be accrued; it simply means that an individual is unable to undergo transplant surgery at that time. Patients are then reactivated on the waitlist when suitable.

As many individuals are called for transplant when one organ is available, often patients are called multiple times prior to the time that they go on to actual transplant. Patients and their family or support persons must remain flexible and on call.